OSU to open $14 million Student Success Center on Sept. 18

09/13/2012

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University will open its Student Success Center on Tuesday, Sept. 18. The new $14 million center will house programs that provide both the general student population and student-athletes with a range of academic support services.

A brief ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. on the first floor of the 34,000-square-foot building, which is located at 671 S.W. 26th St., just north of the CH2M-Hill Alumni Center. Refreshments and self-guided tours will follow the ceremony; the event is open to the public.

“Oregon State University is committed to providing outstanding resources to support all students as they gain the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to be professionals and civic leaders,” said Susie Brubaker-Cole, OSU’s associate provost for academic success and engagement.

“We could not be more excited to have this facility available to enhance our students’ university experience,” Brubaker-Cole added. “We will be forever thankful to the generous donors and community leaders who have made this facility a reality.”

The facility includes classrooms, a computer lab, study lounge and commons area as well as academic counseling and advising offices, meeting rooms and tutorial spaces. The second and third floors are home to two transition programs for students: September Scholars, a summer program that offers incoming students the opportunity to earn college credit and to become acclimated to the rigors of academic life, and the university’s BEST Program, a similar program for student-athletes.

Donors to The Campaign for OSU contributed more than $7 million toward the new building, qualifying the project for matching bonds from the state. An anonymous donor made the lead gift of $5 million, according to Michelle Williams, director of strategic communications for the OSU Foundation.

Guided by the university’s strategic plan, The Campaign for OSU seeks to raise $1 billion to provide opportunities for students, strengthen the Oregon economy and conduct leading research that changes the world. Donors have committed more than $850 million to the campaign to date, including $186 million for the construction and renovation of more than 20 campus facilities.